Holders of concealed-weapon permits will be able to bring their guns into Boulder public libraries if officials approve a proposed rule change Wednesday night.

At the advice of the City Attorney's Office, the Boulder Public Library Commission will consider a change to its rules of conduct for patrons.

The policy on guns now reads: "No person may bring a weapon into or possess a weapon in any library facility except this rule shall not apply to library security personnel or police officers carrying service weapons."

The amendment would add "except as allowed by state law," which would allow people with a concealed-weapon permit to bring a gun into the library as long as they had both their permit and a valid form of identification.

Boulder City Attorney Tom Carr said his office advised the library to change the rule shortly after the Colorado Supreme Court ruled the University of Colorado -- which had a similar regulation -- could not ban concealed-weapon permit holders from its campus.

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"It's more flexible language that we've proposed," Carr said. "Before, it was pretty much the same language that CU had."

The library commission decided to add the state law exemption to the gun rule as well as other changes to the code of conduct, according to Annette Mitchell, chairwoman of the commission.

The commission is scheduled to vote whether to approve the rule changes Wednesday night. The new rules would then need to be signed by City Manager Jane Brautigam. No City Council action needs to be taken.

Commissioner Donna O'Brien said she thinks the rule change will make sure the libraries are complying with state law.

"On a personal basis, I'm conflicted about the gun laws in Colorado, but as a commissioner and as a public library we must follow the laws of Colorado," she said. "I do think it is the right change."

She added that weapons have never been a problem for the library, and she doesn't think that will change.

"It's been a state law for a while, and it hasn't been a problem," she said. "All we're doing is being in compliance with state law."

At Boulder's Main Public Library on Tuesday afternoon, many patrons reacted strongly to the idea of allowing guns in the library.

"I think there's a time and a place for guns, and the library is not one of those places," said Paul Hoskinson, a 49-year-old salesman who described himself as a sportsman. "If no one has one, why should you need a gun to feel safe? I don't think people should be able to carry concealed (weapons) into every public place."

Barbara Lawson, Hoskinson's 77-year-old mother, said she agreed. She worries about the hundreds of children who use the library mixing with guns.

"If I had a choice, I would vote against it," she said.

Veronica Molina, 32, said it only takes one bad person with a gun to hurt a lot of people.

"I don't think that's a good idea," she said of allowing guns into the library. "This should be a place for safety and peace, and how can people feel safe when they know there are people with guns there?"

But Eric Shuler, a 34-year-old baker, said he doesn't think the change is a big deal.

"Usually the people with concealed-carry permits are law-abiding citizens who take guns and gun safety very seriously and who have taken classes," said Shuler, who lives in Westminster but works in Boulder and uses the Boulder Public Library. "I wouldn't have a problem with this."

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